Islamorada isn’t called the Sport Fishing Capital of the World by chance -warm Gulf Stream waters pull in a large variety of game fish toward the islands day in and day out, making our own tropical paradise an international gateway for famous and part time fishermen alike. Whether you yearn for trolling a couple of miles offshore or hunting in the still waters of the backcountry flats, Islamorada has the type of fishing you’ve been needing.

More fishing tourneys are held in the Keys than anywhere else in across the nation and offer a venue to see other anglers, test your skills, and possibly even get a bit of fame and fortune. There are surprisingly more than ten different tourneys taking place from Key Largo to Key West each month, featuring everything from dolphin to tarpon. Several fishing tournaments are intended for female anglers or for youngsters, and many work for well-known charitable organizations.

FL Keys flats guides have the skills to drive a tourist to the most prime areas for tarpon, permit, and bonefish, all of which are the best for both catch-and-release and eating. Offshore charters are the smartest fashion for big game seekers to critter marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, and sailfish. Some charters offer nighttime charters in boats as big as fifty^ with luxury comforts, for example showers. Reef fishing for grouper and snapper keeps you closer to shore and practically ensures you’ll eat well for dinner.

Getting Prepared for Your FL Keys Fishing Adventure

When choosing a charter guide, know whether you need to handle your own tackle or have it supplied for you, and enquire about the status of bait and live well capacities. Make known your ability and experience levels and opt for a captain accordingly, becaue of the fact that you don’t want the captain showing you a pole and a pail of squid and then going away, or explaining basics if you’re a person who^s been fishing for decades. Most captains will happily address a range of experience levels, but it’s best to look into this before selecting your charter.

Always use spf 15 or higher and a camera so you can catch and release but still tell everyone about your adventure tales once you^re home. Release all fish you will never consume because over fishing today will void the regions for future generations. If you’re not cooking your catch, return him to the water as instantly as possible; and if that’s not enough the faster you can reel your catch of a lifetime in (the less time it spends fighting), the happier it will be when returned to the ocean.

Info & Secrets

Fishermen trying for dolphin need to get started at sunrise, go for approximately 120’ of water, and drive towards diving birds or drifts of floating sea grasses. Producing chum lines helps pull littler fish, and while you’ve got a blue runner or some other bait fish on your hook, leave it in the water since the dolphin will be pulled to it. Dolphin traverse through areas fast, so it helps to keep an eye out for other vessels and constantly troll instead of anchoring in one place.

Amberjacks put up a substantial fight and can take a lot of time for even an experienced captain to pull in. Look for large amberjacks at big shipwrecks in over 100^ of water, and smaller ones in and around the reefs between November and March. Use a leader of 18 to 25 feet and equal to or more than 50 lb. test, and catch live bait if you can do it. Don’t yield on your pole, or you’ll lose it when they strike.

Locals say the quickest way to go for a barracuda is with a tube lure in around 15 to twenty five feet of water, and to keep the tackle going through the water or the catch will become untrusting and wary. While barracuda are a substantial sport fish because they’ll put up a great fight, they’re ordinarily not consumed. Nearly all of the heavier fish (over 5 lbs.) have turned out to be poisonous to eat because of their diet of reef algae. Ciguatera poisoning is almost never fatal, but never desirable. Tiny barracuda can be cut into steaks and consumed.

The Florida Keys Lobster

The spiny lobster mini-season draws lobster-lovers from across the world, so remember to make your reservations and plans beforehand. These lobsters roam the sea from Brazil to Bermuda, but a high concentration of them is found in the Keys ocean. As soon as you corner one, make sure your net or bag is available before they vanish, because these lobsters get away by shooting backwards through the water. Bring your crawfish to most Key largo restaurants and they’ll serve it up for you, or just eat theirs and get the taste without the effort. Key West lobster are very similar in taste and texture to Maine lobster, only littler. They’re great boiled, steamed, or grilled, and sold whole, as tails, and as meat in many neighborhood stores.

The two-day Sport Lobster Season is held the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and ending Thursday at midnight. Upcoming dates are:

• July 27 - 28, 2005
• July 26 - 27, 2006
• July 25 - 26, 2007

During this period, there’s a ban on diving and snorkeling within 300 feet of marinas, canals, and private shorelines to halt damage done by overzealous lobster hunters. They instill bag limits, restricted areas, and equipment ordinances. For thorough and up to date laws, please contact the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-488-4676 .

The commercial lobster season occurs from August to March. Only commercial license holders may trap lobster & stone crabs, and Florida no longer sells commercial licenses. Existing licenses must be purchased from another fisherman.